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Module

NBS8013 : Leading Organisational Change

  • Offered for Year: 2026/27
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Andrea Whittle
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

Organisations exist in dynamic global environments and must therefore place the effective management of change at the heart of what they do. This module explores these issues at an advanced level by developing a critical understanding of the complexities and challenges of change management. Through a combination of lectures and activities, you will develop an awareness of the concepts and approaches that underpin the theoretical and practical perspectives employed within change management. This will enable you to reflect critically, from an ethical and professional standpoint, upon your own competences and practices in relation to the various contested theories and dimensions of change management. Emphasis will be placed on utilising this critical reflection to support the evaluation of alternative approaches to leading successful, sustainable organisational change.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus will typically cover the following themes:

•       The types and causes of organisational change
•       Approaches to implementing change
•       Resistance to change
•       Change for sustainability
•       Leading change

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion142:0042:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops93:0027:003-hour classes combining lectures and workshop activities
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study131:0031:00N/A
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

In class discussions and activities enable students to develop their understanding through mutual learning and self-reflection. Lectures supplement student reading to provide both theoretical and practical knowledge.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report2M80Individual assignment (change analysis) 2000 words
Oral Examination2M2015 minute oral examination on submitted assignment
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Lectures, readings and class discussions / activities are designed to help students develop the understanding and analytical skills needed to meet the learning outcomes.

The written assessment then tests the students individually to assess how well they have developed both their factual understanding of the topic and their skills in applying their knowledge.

Resits will be a revision of the assignment and 15 minute oral resit exam.

Reading Lists

Timetable